From Imagination to Reality
Three-dimensional design has permeated every aspect of our lives. Explore a thrilling technological revolution spanning nearly 60 years.
Start the TimelineWhy History of 3D Matters?
The journey from a simple line on a computer screen to the complex objects we hold in our hands is the result of a massive technological evolution. 3D printing and design have revolutionized industries from aerospace to medicine, and art to construction.
Understanding the roots of this technology—from Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad to the modern AI-driven generative design—helps us appreciate the tools we use today. This timeline documents the pioneers, the patents, and the breakthroughs that made the impossible, printable.
The journey from a simple line on a computer screen to the complex objects we hold in our hands is the result of a massive technological evolution. Here are the cornerstones of this history.
Evolution of 3D Design
Key Milestones: 1960s - Present
The Dawn of Computer Graphics
Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad and the birth of CAD. How separate rooms of computers laid the foundation.
Read Full Article →Algorithms & The Famous Teapot
From the Utah Teapot to Solid Modeling. See how math made 3D objects distinct from ghost lines.
Read Full Article →The Golden Age: Invention of Printing
Chuck Hull invents SLA, and the STL format is born. The era where science fiction became reality.
Read Full Article →Expansion: Medicine & Hollywood
Toy Story revolutionizes cinema, and the first organs are bioprinted. 3D tech leaves the lab but remains a luxury.
Read Full Article →Democratization & The AI Era
From the RepRap movement to Bambu Lab and AI. How 3D printing entered our homes and the future of Generative Design.
Read Full Article →The Future is Now
From simple lines in 1963 to Generative AI designs and bio-printing today. This power is now at the fingertips of anyone with imagination.